TexasBexar County

    Bexar County, TX Tax Sale Guide

    Bexar County tax deed sales investing guide. 25% per annum interest, 6-month redemption. Auction details and due diligence checklist.

    Direct Answer

    Bexar County, TX sells tax deeds via county-run direct auction, with a 6 months redemption window and a 25% per annum statutory rate. Auctions run on a monthly (first tuesday) cadence.

    Sale Type
    Tax Deed
    Rate / Penalty
    25% per annum
    Redemption
    6 months
    Bexar County Sale Cadence & Platform
    Auction cadence
    Monthly (First Tuesday)
    Bidding platform
    county-run direct auction

    Constable tax sales first Tuesday monthly.

    Current Bexar County Inventory
    165 bid-eligible parcels currently listed
    Est. market value
    Median $58K (typical $36K–$102K)
    n = 137 parcels

    Aggregated from live Bexar County listings on LienScout Pro. Snapshot refreshes weekly.

    Official source: County Tax Assessor-Collector
    https://www.bexar.org/3038/Tax-Sales

    Tax-sale data on this page is sourced from and reconciled against County Tax Assessor-Collector publications for Bexar County, Texas.

    About Bexar County Tax Deed Sales

    Bexar County's tax sales run on the first Tuesday of each month, administered by the Constable at the Paul Elizondo Tower in downtown San Antonio. Bexar does not use an online auction platform — bidding is in-person, cash or cashier's check, and the levy list is published by the tax attorneys (typically Linebarger) roughly two weeks before sale. Because Bexar is a single anchor metro rather than a multi-precinct county like Harris, the sale list is more consolidated and easier to underwrite in full than the Harris precinct-by-precinct system.

    The parcel mix in Bexar leans toward older residential neighborhoods on the near west and east sides of San Antonio, with a steady share of small commercial along the I-35 and 1604 corridors. BCAD ownership records and value data are exposed through a direct API (no captcha), which makes pre-sale underwriting materially faster than in most Texas counties. Confirm the parcel is still on the day-of-sale list, check for post-notice payments, and verify municipal or MUD-district assessments that survive the tax deed.

    How the Bexar County tax deed auction actually runs

    Texas tax sales in Bexar County are hybrid redeemable deed sales held on the first Tuesday of the month, either at the courthouse steps (Harris, Tarrant) or online via GovEase / RealAuction depending on the county. The taxing entity's law firm (usually Linebarger, Perdue Brandon, or PBFCM) publishes the sale list 21 days ahead. Bidders register in advance with a bidder certificate, show up with cashier's checks, and bid premium-only above an opening bid set at the judgment amount or adjudged value (whichever is less). Winners take a Sheriff's Deed on the spot in exchange for full payment. Texas issues an immediate deed with a right of redemption — 2 years on homestead / agricultural parcels, 6 months on everything else — and the statutory redemption penalty is 25% in year one and 50% in year two.

    Pre-bid research shortcuts for Bexar County

    For a Bexar County parcel, pull the Central Appraisal District (CAD) record for owner, exemptions (homestead / ag flags drive the 2-year redemption period), land + improvement value, and legal description. Pull the county Clerk's Real Property records for the last warranty deed, deeds of trust, and any liens. Get the underlying tax-suit judgment from the District Clerk — it tells you exactly which taxing entities are being satisfied and whether any junior liens got named. Check the county GIS for zoning and flood zone, and cross-reference the address against the county's abandoned / dangerous building list. Two Texas-specific gotchas: (1) homestead / ag-exempt parcels carry a 2-year redemption at 25% year one + 50% year two — plan capital accordingly, and (2) HOA liens and municipal weed/demo liens can survive if not named in the suit.

    What happens after you win a Bexar County tax deed

    You receive the Sheriff's Deed at the Bexar County sale itself and record it with the County Clerk the same week. You now hold defeasible title subject to redemption — 6 months for non-homestead / non-ag, 2 years for homestead or ag-exempt parcels. The former owner redeems by tendering the winning bid amount plus a 25% premium in year one (or 50% in year two on qualifying parcels) through the Sheriff or Tax Assessor-Collector. Redemption rates in Texas are lower than most states because the 25%/50% premium is steep — most non-homestead parcels don't redeem, and once the redemption window closes the deed converts to indefeasible fee simple. Quiet title actions are common but not always required; some title insurers will insure Texas tax deeds after 4 years of undisturbed possession.

    Bidder Landscape

    Bexar County (San Antonio) holds monthly tax deed sales on the first Tuesday at the Bexar County Courthouse steps. Sales are consistent — typically 100–300 parcels — and inner-loop residential inventory (Alamo Heights, Monte Vista, Southtown) draws heavy premium-bid competition, often clearing at 60–85% of market value. Realistic entry points for individual investors are southside and westside vacant lots, heirship parcels, and post-sale struck-off inventory from Linebarger's resale list. Texas statute grants a 6-month redemption (2 years on homestead / ag) with a 25% first-year penalty and 50% second-year penalty on the winning bid.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How does the Bexar County tax deed auction process work?

    In Bexar County, tax deed sales operate through an auction process where properties with delinquent taxes are sold to the highest bidder. The buyer acquires a tax deed, and the original owner has a redemption period to reclaim the property.

    What are the expected returns for investing in tax sales in Bexar County?

    Bexar County tax sales offer a statutory interest rate of 25% per annum on the amount paid for the property. This rate applies during the redemption period, providing a potential return for the investor.

    What are the primary risks associated with tax deed investing in Bexar County?

    Key risks include the property owner redeeming the property within the 6-month period, recouping their investment plus interest. There's also the risk of unforeseen title issues or environmental concerns associated with the property.

    How can I get started with tax sale investing in Bexar County?

    To get started, research properties with delinquent taxes in Bexar County and understand the auction rules and procedures. It's advisable to consult with legal counsel specializing in tax sales before participating.

    Due Diligence Checklist

    • Verify parcel exists on county GIS / parcel viewer
    • Search for federal tax liens (IRS / PACER)
    • Check for owner bankruptcy filings (PACER)
    • Confirm physical access — not landlocked, easements documented
    • Review FEMA flood zone (firmette / msc.fema.gov)
    • Calculate equity cushion: market value − total liens − cure costs
    • Confirm 180-day redemption window (non-homestead/non-ag) (Tex. Tax Code §34.21)
    • Confirm 2-year redemption (homestead, ag-use, mineral) (Tex. Tax Code §34.21(a))
    • Verify 25% redemption premium (year 1) / 50% (year 2) (Tex. Tax Code §34.21(b))
    • Pull CAD record — confirm homestead / ag / disabled-vet exemption status
    • Review post-judgment lien survival (IRS, child support, HOA assessments) (Tex. Tax Code §34.01(n))
    • Confirm sheriff sale date, location, and minimum bid published in officially posted notices
    • Verify deposit / cashier's check requirements with sheriff or constable
    • Search Texas Secretary of State UCC / state tax lien index
    • Check city/county code-enforcement liens (admin fines, demolition)
    • Pull BCAD parcel via Harris Govern portal — verify exemptions
    • Check City of San Antonio / SAWS utility liens

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    Last updated July 10, 2026Data reconciled with County Tax Assessor-Collector. Statutory rules follow Texas law.